Japan: West Tokyo, Shizuoka, Nagano - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: West Tokyo, Shizuoka, Nagano - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Takayama and Toyama - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Takayama and Toyama - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: October 2025

Japan: Yamanashi, Kawagoe, Tokyo - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

 

Japan: Yamanashi, Kawagoe, Tokyo - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Otaru and Sapporo - 6 days Itinerary and Expenses

Thanks to Cebu Pacific for finally having a direct flight from Manila to Sapporo.  This skips the waiting game at the airport since there's no need for connecting flights from other entry points like Tokyo or Osaka.  

Travel Date: 15-20 March, 2025

Japan: Nagoya and Takayama - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Nagoya and Takayama - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 03-11 December 2024

Japan: Mie Prefecture - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Mie Prefecture - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

First time we have visited Mie is on spring of 2019 (year before the global lockdown).  It was a bus trip away from Nagoya station to Nabana no Sato. 

This time (2024), I'd like to try to visit Japan during summer, season for blooming irises (Hanashobu) and hydrangea (Ajisai).  For month of June, I'd say early morning and late afternoon is still cold with strong winds.  Midday may already be hot with striking sunlight.  There are few rain showers so better bring a light jacket and umbrella. 

Coming from Manila, there are four airports to choose from and Nagoya has the most affordable in-bound flight during the search period, so I gave it a shot.  This will be my fifth time to inbound in Chubu Centrair International Airport.  

Japan: Shikoku - 7 days Itinerary and Reviews

Japan: Shikoku - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

If you bump into this page and are still planning for your first visit in Japan, you may go to this separate entry instead.  Or visit the bottom section of this page for more itinerary options. 

This year's spring trip is a 7-day stay in Shikoku island, which is a separate island from the main Honshu island (where you can find Tokyo or Osaka). Shikoku is accessible by air, ferry, trains, or buses from Fukuoka or Osaka.

Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Taiwan: Itinerary for 5 days in Taichung

Taiwan: Itinerary for 5 days in Taichung

Accommodation:  

Where to stay in Taichung?
Norden Ruder Hostel Taichung
12F No. 123, Jianguo Rd., Central Dist., Taichung City, Central District, Taichung, Taiwan, 40043
Read the hotel review

Japan: Sasebo, Oita and Fukuoka - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Sasebo, Oita and Fukuoka - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 18-25 April 2023

Japan: Fukuoka and Saga - 5 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 03-08 December 2022

Seoul, South Korea: 6 days Itinerary and Expenses

Seoul, South Korea: 6 days Itinerary and Expenses


Accommodation: Where to stay in Seoul?
High Street Guest House

Japan: Nagano, Hakone to Tokyo: 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 26-November to 04-December, 2019

Accommodations:
Nakatsugawa Plaza Hotel Sakae, Gifu Prefecture
Posada Suimei, Hakone
First Cabin Tsukiji, Ginza, Tokyo

South Korea: Seoul: Itinerary for First-time Visitors and Beyond

Welcome traveler!  From my learning and experience I hope the tips and guides below will also help you plan and enjoy your upcoming travel in South Korea!

Go to the following topics:
How to Apply for Visa: Guide and Tips for South Korea Trip
Rules in South Korea Embassy (Taguig, Philippines)
When is the best time to go in Seoul in terms of weather?
How to find cheap flights to Incheon (Seoul) and Busan
Encounter with the Immigration Officer
Airport Transfer: What to do on late arrivals or delayed flights?
Airport Transfer: How to reach Incheon Airport with early flights?
What transportation card to use?

Accommodation: Where to stay in Seoul?
Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Seoul?

Budget Travel: How much does it cost to travel to South Korea
Where and how to get Korean Won?

Where are the markets and where can I go shopping?
What application or interactive map to use for locating a place and getting directions in Seoul?
How hard it is for someone who doesn't speak Korean to make their way around the country?
More Tips on traveling around the city
How to stay connected while in Seoul?
Where to get discount coupons in Korea?

More Sample Itineraries for South Korea [for frequent flyers]

2019 Spring: Sweden: Where to go in Lund

Sweden: Where to go in Lund

Inspired by the recent trip from Alvin Elchico in Europe, I have included Lund on my short trip to Sweden.  Lund is more of the young vibe since most of the population are students.  However, this does not mean that there are more night life.  As the night light stay, most of the shops and restaurants shuts early.

2019 May: Germany: Well spent hours in Hamburg

Itinerary

2019 April: A Day in Berlin, Germany

Itinerary

Arriving by bus from Copenhagen, we had a full day to spend in Berlin.

Japan: 6 Days Spring Itinerary in Nagoya

Sakura in Nagoya
Forecast showed that full bloom is on last week of March, but don’t always trust the forecast.  It’s been cloudy and raining in few days of our stay, and because of less heat that the buds did not open and there are more still more buds than blooming flowers.

Gladly, we had our full experience in Tsuruma Park on our last day in April 01.

Date Visited: March 26 - April 01, 2019


Health Alert
I already have asthma prior on going to Nagoya and I keep on coughing and had deep breathes all day long.  Le me share with you, there exists pollen allergies or known as “hay fever” that is wide spread during spring season or February to April in Japan.

It is advisable to wear eye glasses and face masks when enjoying the nature, trees and blooming flowers during this season.


Accommodation: Where to stay in Nagoya?
Vessel Inn Sakae Ekimae ベッセルイン栄駅前
3-14-13 Nishiki, Naka, Sakae, Nagoya, Japan 460-0003
名古屋市中区錦3-14-13, 栄, 名古屋, 日本 460-0003
Read my Hotel Review

Food: Where to eat in Nagoya?

Flavors of Nagoya - Food Review

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Nagoya?

Taiwan: Itinerary for 5 days in Taipei and Taichung

Accommodation:  
Where to stay in Taipei?
Click Hotel - Taipei Main Station branch
5F, No. 72, Section 1, Zhongxiao West Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan, 10041

Morwing Hotel Fairytale
3F., No.36, Sec. 1, Kaifeng St., Taipei Taiwan 10044

Where to stay in Taichung?
New Plaza Hotel
No.77-1, Xiangyang Road Taichung Taiwan 42080

South Korea: 6 places to see in Gyeongju in 2 days

Gyeongju is a walkable city when you plan your visit according to nearby target destinations.  Having an available internet for GPS location and maps.google.com is much helpful on your return bus tour to the city.

Transfer to City

From KTX SinGyeongju, take Exit 1.  Take Bus #s 700, 203, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71 will be heading to the city proper, passing by Intercity Bus Terminal.

Day 1 (nearby the city center)

Ancient Tombs and Cheomseongdae Observatory (경주 첨성대)
169-5, Cheomseong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Cheomseongdae is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia. Constructed during the reign of Queen Seon-deok (632-647), it was used for observing the stars in order to forecast the weather. This stone structure is a beautiful combination of straight lines and curves, and was designated as National Treasure No.31 on December 20th, 1962. [Reference]